From 24/7 Wall St. · Omor Ibne Ehsan · · 1m 10s
JEPI Retirees Get Smaller Payouts
Retirees holding JEPI shares see yearly payouts drop 28% since 2022, with real losses hitting 36% after inflation.
In brief
Retirees holding JEPI shares see yearly payouts drop 28% since 2022, with real losses hitting 36% after inflation. JEPI's distribution per share fell from $6.36 in 2022 to $3.42 in 2026, a 28% drop that loses 36% buying power after inflation. Originally reported by 24/7 Wall St..
JEPI Payouts Drop
A retiree holding 1,000 JEPI shares collected $6,362 in 2022 but only $4,564 in the last 12 months.
Real Pay Cut Hits 36%
Inflation rose 13% between December 2022 and August 2026, making the 28% payout drop a 36% real loss.
JEPI Distribution Trend
JEPI paid $6.36 per share in 2022, then $4.62 in 2023, $4.22 in 2024, $4.72 in 2025, and $3.42 in 2026.
Why Payouts Fall
JEPI uses equity-linked notes that sell call options on the S&P 500, with premiums tied to expected market volatility.
JEPI's Current Volatility
The VIX, measuring expected volatility, dropped from 36 in March 2022 to near 15, below its five-year average of 19.
Better Alternative for Retirees
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers payouts that grow with company earnings instead of option prices.
The essence
JEPI's distribution per share fell from $6.36 in 2022 to $3.42 in 2026, a 28% drop that loses 36% buying power after inflation.
